Monday, 29 December 2014

Ten years after a pandemic swept the globe, survivors were forced into factions and camps in order to survive.

Jade and Sera are two orphans who have found refuge in a government camp. It's there where Jade falls in love with a young soldier, Anyon. But Anyon has his own secrets, carefully guarding a past that involves Sera. Before Jade and Anyon admit their feelings to each other the camp is attacked and they're separated.

Jade knows to lead Sera to Albany, the last free camp in the east, but the road is dangerous.

Not only must they dodge pockets of infection, but they're threatened by drifters and gangs. When they arrive in Albany, they find it deserted.

Anyon and his friend Malachi are close on their heels, but not close enough. The Provisional Government is on a mission, and no one is quite prepared for what lies ahead.

*I Hereby Award This Book 5 Wings!*

As a blogger for the last 3 years, my favourite genre became Dystopia. So, when I was asked by Amy Bartelloni to review the second book in this series, Orion's Curse, I jumped at the chance. I decided to download Andromeda from Amazon, as I was told I could read book 2 without reading book 1, but I would really rather start and finish a whole series properly.

If you are a fan of the Divergent series, Hunger Games and The Immortal Rules, then Andromeda is for you.

What I liked:

The relationship between Jade and Sera. They may not be blood related, but they are as close as any sisters would be. They look out for each other in this frightening new world where others would turn on each other at the drop of a hat.

The bond between Jade and Anyon. They are the cutest couple that aren't a proper couple and the word cute doesn't belong in their world, but still, they are adorable.

The friendship between Anyon and Malachi. It's amazing how in this new world people can find and form friendships. These two have been through it together and come out the other side. Trusted to look out for Sera, Anyon is level-headed, strong-willed and perseverance should be his middle name. He is one of the few decent people left. Malachi closely resembles those same character traits and it's good to see that even after The Provisional Government took over, that kind, decent people can still be found.

What I disliked: It doesn't have to be said, but I'll say it all the same; I absolutely hated The Provisional Government and what they have done since they took control. Mostly, I hate President Vise. He's a despicable, deplorable human being - that's a loose term too cos he's not fit t be called a human being. He's cold, unemotional, sick and twisted and he seems to have a God-like complex.

This was one of the best YA stories that I have read recently. I've been on more of an NA Contemporary Romance binge. I've tried and failed to read several YA books that just haven't held my attention. But Andromeda sucked me in and held my attention captive until I was finished. I was up until after 2am two consecutive nights so that I could finish it off. I finally put the book down at 2:41am today, not realising how late it was because I had lost another chunk of time to reading this book.

The writing flowed well and for me, the story was without flaw. Amy Bartelloni weaves a totally believable story that I could see our world being like if it were ever to be overturned and run into the ground by those that demand authority. Amy writes strong characters that you can have a tangible relationship with. She builds up your empathy and compassion for those that this world would sooner see destroyed. I have always loved a story where the underdog saves the day, and this is one of those situations where I truly hope the underdog will come out on top.

If you are after something gritty to sink your teeth into and you enjoy a good YA Dystopian read, then please, pick up a copy of Andromeda.

Blurb:He was attractive, talented…and way off limits. Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between them—including their troubled pasts—even as Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's there to catch her…

My Review: Many people say the first thing that attracts them to a book is the cover. Others say it's the blurb. In many cases, I would be the first to agree, but this time was different. What attracted me to A League of Her Own was the author, Karen Rock. She is an absolutely amazing author. I want to read anything she writes. I'd even read her shopping list! Over the last 3 years that I have been a blogger, I have been lucky enough to read many of Karen's novels and we have become good friends during this time. I affectionately named her Wonder Woman - this woman can do anything she sets her heart and mind to.I'll admit now, I am not much of a sport fan. Any sports on TV bore the pants off me, I am the first to switch the channel. But this book drew me in so much that I found myself feeling like a baseball fan. From the first word to the last, I was fully immersed in this amazing story. From the first time I met Garrett Wolf, I was hooked. The age old question is, do you believe in love at first sight- well, from the second Wolf came on the page, I was in love. I'm talking full-on insta-love, butterflies in my tummy, pulse racing, having to turn the pages faster so that I could discover more about him. Of course, Wolf isn't the only character to love, they are all brilliant in their own ways and all contribute to the story in some way, be it big or small. Now, I'm not here to tell you what happens in the story, that's for you to discover for yourself - you must make your own journey through the pages, but I can tell you how it made me feel. Karen Rock has gone and done it again. she's written yet another superb novel that drags you under, has you rooting for the underdog and brings tears to your eyes on more than one occasion. This story had me on the edge of my seat several times. There were several times that I assumed I knew where it was going, only to be proved wrong. And I love how Karen does that. She makes you think one thing and then all of a sudden BAM! the story goes in a completely different direction. As an author myself, I am in awe of Karen Rock. She is quite simply put, one of my favourite authors EVER! She is someone I look up to and aspire to be like. If I could be one-millionth the author that she is, I would be one happy lady. As a reader, she gives me stories to fall in love with, time and time again. As an author she gives me something in the way of a challenge. She makes me look at my own work and strive to become a better author. Karen Rock is an idol, a role model, a superstar! (Yes, I might have a bit of a girl-crush on her LOL).A League of Her Own really is in a league of its own. It's a beautifully written novel with one-of-a-kind characters that will have you laughing, crying, and in some parts, like me, you may want to dive into the book and give someone a good shake to make them see sense. Forget book-boyfriends, get set to meet your book-husband - but beware, he's already been claimed, by me! Thank you to Lola's Blog Tours for allowing me early access to an ARC of this inspiring novel. Thank you Karen, firstly for being my Wonder Woman, and secondly for creating yet another world for me to be sucked into - let it be known, I never wanted to leave. Click the link to add A League of Her Own to your TBR on Goodreads. You can buy A League of Her Own here:- Amazon (Kindle)- Barnes & Noble- Kobo- eHarlequinAbout the Author:Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and Adult Contemporary Romance author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time writer. Currently she writes for Harlequin Heartwarming and her first novel for the line, WISH ME TOMORROW, has won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2014 Golden Quill Contest and a finalist in the Published Maggie Awards. The first novel in her co-authored YA series, CAMP BOYFRIEND, has been a finalist in the Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards.Karen loves nothing more than to connect with her fans, so you can find her here:- Website-Facebook- Twitter- Goodreads- Tumblr- Quarterly NewsletterThere is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of A League of Her Own. These are the prizes you can win: - A 100 dollar Amazon gift card (INT)- A set of signed paperbacks of Wish Me Tomorrow, His Hometown Girl, Someone Like You and A League of Her Own (US only)

I Was Awarded...

I Was Given The Liebster Blog Award

Gothic Angel's Goodreads Shelf

About Me

My name is Keren. I am a 30 year old mom of 1. His name is Calum and he is 6.
Reading is pretty much in my blood and I have been reading since I knew what the written word was. I used to be the biggest Stephen King and Dean Koontz fan but have now broadened my horizons and my tastes encompass a lot of things. I have very eclectic taste in life in general. From the Gothic, to the more girly.
I am a big lover of Indie Authors such as Nancy Straight, Rachael Wade, Selene Chardou, Kate Laurens, Jo A Cattell and far too many others to name.
I have just signed a publishing contract with Limitless Publishing for a YA Paranormal Romance I have just finished writing called Stolen.